Swept Into Love: Gage Ryder (Love in Bloom: The Ryders Book 5)

by Melissa Foster

  She pointed to Sally and said, “I want whatever she had.”

  Sally followed Gage’s gaze over her shoulder toward the girl, and the confidence drained from her face. Didn’t she know how beautiful she was? How spectacular of a woman, mother, and friend she was? Not to mention those smoking-hot kisses. That young girl had nothing on Sally. Hell, no one in the state did.

  “Hey.” Gage waited for Sally to meet his gaze. “I kissed you, bird. Every woman in here could be naked and you’d still be the only one I see.” He pulled her in closer. “And the only one I’ll ever want.”

  “Damn,” the blonde said. “Forget the drink, JJ. I need to crawl into this woman’s skin and see what her secret is.” She flashed a friendlier, less flirtatious smile and moved closer to Sally, like she was sharing a secret. “I have gone out with a lot of guys, and never once have I heard anything even close to that. What’s your secret?”

  Gage was glad she wasn’t a bitch, because if she’d said something spiteful, he’d have told her off.

  Sally’s eyes darted up to him, and she drew her shoulders back, standing taller, prideful. “There’s no secret. The best relationships always begin with friendship.”

  “Honey,” the blonde said as the female guitarist broke through the crowd and put an arm around her, “I’ve been sleeping with my best friend for years and he’s never said anything like that to me.”

  “That’s because you also treat flirting like it’s a career, baby sister,” the guitarist said, flashing the same friendly smile as the blonde at Sally. “Is Brindle hitting on your man?” Her eyes raked down Gage. “Damn, you are hot, but clearly taken.” She turned Brindle by the shoulders and pointed to a handsome dark-haired guy standing at the other end of the bar. “Go get Trace and leave these two alone.”

  The well-honed older-sister tone of her voice reminded Gage of Duke when they were younger and he’d admonish him in much the same I-know-what’s-best way.

  “Trace Jericho and I are done.” Brindle crossed her arms with an irritated expression.

  “This week,” the guitarist said sarcastically. She lifted her chin at the bartender. “Justus, make sure she doesn’t have any more to drink, got it? Her radar is a little off tonight.”

  “You got it, Sable,” the bartender said.

  Gage connected the dots and realized the bartender, JJ—Justus—was also the owner of the pub.

  Brindle stalked away and Sable turned her attention back to Sally and Gage. “Sorry, guys. My sister is a bit of a wild one, but beneath all that flirtation, she’s a good egg.”

  “That’s okay.” Gage held out his hand. “I’m Gage Ryder, and this is”—my wife—“Sally Tuft. We came tonight to check out your band. We’re opening a new youth center across town called No Limitz, and we wanted to talk to you about playing at the grand opening in March.”

  “Ah, you’re with the company Brindle has been talking about. She’s excited about the opportunity to hold more kids’ programs.” She glanced at her sister, who was now busy chatting with a group of girls. “She teaches English and runs the drama club at the elementary school. Believe it or not, she’s an amazing teacher.”

  “I’m sure she is.” Sally turned a heated gaze on Gage. “Alcohol loosens everyone up.”

  Damn, baby. That look…

  He realized he wasn’t the only one enjoying that look and glared at the two guys checking Sally out from a few feet away. He put his arm possessively around her waist.

  “Oh, Brindle’s always a spitfire, but she’s all talk. Don’t worry. Now that she knows Gage is taken, she won’t try to pick him up.” Sable took her cowgirl hat off and ran a hand through her long brown hair. “I’ve got to get back to the band, but I’d love to talk about the opening.” She put her hand on the shoulders of two men who were seated at the bar, pushing them farther apart. “Excuse me, boys.” She hiked herself onto her belly on the bar, reaching for something beneath the edge.

  “Sable!” Justus hollered from the other end of the bar. He shook his head and headed toward them.

  Sable’s legs kicked up and Gage pulled Sally aside to keep her from getting struck.

  “One of these days you’re going to get yourself in trouble doing that,” the larger of the two men said as he slapped Sable’s ass.

  Sable landed on her boots with a clunk, exhaled loudly, and got right in the guy’s face. “Frazier Young, you touch my ass again and I’ll kick yours so far out of town you won’t be able to find your way back.”

  Frazier held up his hands in surrender. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “Can’t blame a girl for kickin’ a guy’s ass, either.” Sable handed Sally a flyer. “That’s got our band’s information and my cell number as well as the number at my auto shop.”

  “Sable, how about you keep your feet on the ground, darlin’?” Justus put a stack of flyers on the bar and glared at Frazier. Justus was a big dude, with deep-set eyes and an athletic build, but even his size and serious stare didn’t seem to faze Frazier. “Don’t start shit with her. She’ll knock you flat on your back.”

  Frazier smirked. “Just as long as she climbs on top afterward, I’m cool with that.”

  Sable waved him off. “Justus Jericho, this is Gage Ryder and Sally Tuft. Gage and Sally are setting up the new youth center. Justus owns this pub, and he and his brothers can break a horse about as fast as I can rebuild an engine. I’ve got to get back onstage, but it was nice meeting you both. Give me a call tomorrow afternoon and we can talk.”

  “See ya, Sable.” After she walked away, Justus said, “She’s a hell of a mechanic if you ever need one, and her band is the best around. Word around town is that you’re looking for someone to run your sports programs at the youth center.”

  “Yes,” Gage said. “We’re holding interviews this week. Do you know anyone?”

  “This town’s about as big as my fist. I know everyone.” Justus set a beer on the bar for a customer. “There’s only one guy around here you need to interview.” He pointed across the room at a burly, dark-haired man who looked like he belonged on a football field. He was in deep conversation with a petite blonde. “Sinclair Vernon. Sin.”

  “That’s Sin Vernon? The same Sin Vernon who runs the athletic program for Virginia State?” Gage had heard great things about the guy.

  “Ran the program,” Justus clarified. “He just resigned. I can call him over and introduce y’all.”

  “That’s okay. He looks busy.” Gage knew if they started talking sports they’d be there for hours, and the only thing he wanted to do for hours was Sally. He withdrew a business card from his wallet and handed it to Justus. “Would you mind passing my number along to him? I’d love to speak with him.” He put an arm around Sally, pulling her close again. Duty done, he couldn’t wait to get her alone. When their eyes met, he was sure they’d set off the smoke alarms.

  “Thanks, man,” he said to Justus. “It was nice meeting you, but we’ve got to run. Sally and I have some pressing business to take care of.”

  Chapter Seven

  SALLY HURRIED TO keep up with Gage. The cold night air stung her cheeks as they crossed the parking lot. “Pressing business?”

  He hauled her against him and captured her mouth, kissing her so deeply, her legs turned to butter. She wound her arms around his neck, his urgency feeding hers. When he grabbed her bottom, holding her so close to his big, hard body even air couldn’t fit between them, a moan slipped from her lungs. She felt him smile against her lips as they stumbled toward the car. He trapped her against the passenger door, grinding into her, and made a purely male sound that sent rivers of heat pooling between her legs. Without breaking their kiss, he lifted her up and set her on the hood, reached around her, his hand flat on the small of her back, and hauled her forward. His wide hips were nestled between her legs, and his mouth blazed a trail down her neck. Oh, yes. More, more, more. He grabbed her leg and lifted it to his hip, pressing his hard length against her center, and oh Lord,
he was hard, and she was ready.

  Her eyes fluttered closed as he sealed his mouth over her neck and sucked.

  “Gage,” came out in a rush, but he didn’t relent the titillating torture.

  “Not stopping,” he growled.

  His mouth came down over hers again, taking and exploring like he wanted to climb inside and live there. The muscles in his neck corded beneath her fingers. The feel of his hot skin made her want to taste more of him in ways other than kisses. The faint beat of the band sounded in the distance, competing with her thundering heart. Gage drew back and framed her face between his large hands. He touched his forehead to hers, breathing heavily.

  “Salbird,” came out full of lust and love. The way it had in her fantasies, only better, because this was real.

  Desire ran rampant through her, muddling her thoughts and making her tremble with need. “Take me to the hotel” came out somewhere between a demand and a plea.

  She didn’t have to ask twice. The second they were in the car they both reached across the console, unable to keep their hands off each other. This is it, her lust-addled brain chanted. She was finally going to make love to the man she’d wanted for so long, her body throbbed and ached for him. She was as nervous as she was excited. Gage kissed her hard and possessively as he guided her seat belt across her body, latching it into place.

  “Can’t have my wife getting hurt.”

  She watched his lips, taunted by their fullness and the pleasures she knew they would bring.

  “Hurry,” she urged. If he didn’t drive, she was either going to chicken out or pull him into another kiss. She definitely didn’t want to chicken out, and if she kissed him again, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stop. The only way to top having sex and getting married while flat-out drunk was to get caught having sex in a parking lot. She was just unlucky enough for that to happen.

  Gage drove the whole way with one hand on her thigh, the tips of his fingers beneath the edge of her sweaterdress, a fraction of an inch from the juncture of her thighs. It was impossible not to think about his hot hand as it practically branded her through her stockings. Maybe I should have worn thigh-highs. One shift in her seat and she’d feel his fingers against her panties, even if through her stockings. She debated the shift and felt her cheeks burn as he pulled into the hotel parking lot and cut the engine.

  Gage leaned across the console and slowly unwound her hair from around her finger with a sinful look in his eyes. Her pulse sprinted. She couldn’t wait to see that look from beneath his naked body as his thick cock drove into her. He pressed a kiss to her hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. A softer look came over him as he dragged the back of his knuckles along her cheek.

  “Still with me, bird? No pressure if you’re having second thoughts.”

  “No second thoughts.” She was surprised she could form words she was so nervous. She could overthink what was coming next forever, but hadn’t she already spent years doing just that? There was no chance of anyone they knew suddenly knocking on their door, or of her son coming home and catching them in bed together. It didn’t get much safer than this. Nothing short of a comet plummeting to earth would stop her now.

  He kissed her then, soft and sweet and so deliciously, her entire body tingled from her head to her toes.

  A few minutes later they were making out in the elevator, hands and mouths moving too fast to slow down. The doors opened and they stumbled out in a tangle of limbs and fiery kisses. And then they were in Gage’s hotel room, the door clicking shut behind them as he drew back only long enough to strip off their coats. The room smelled like Gage, rugged and tempting. It was dark, save for the moonlight casting a dim bluish hue through the open curtains, and Sally was shaking like a leaf in the wind.

  Gage’s hands ran down her arms. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  “Nervous,” she said honestly, swallowing hard.

  “Me too.”

  Laughter bubbled out before she could stop it. “Uh-huh.”

  He stepped closer, their bodies touching from thigh to chest. “I’ve got the woman of my dreams in a hotel room, and she’s not drunk or even tipsy.” He took her hand in his, leading her farther into the room. “Five long years of wanting you all comes down to what happens next. Am I going to screw up? Move too fast?” He began unbuttoning his shirt, stopping after two buttons. “Too slow?”

  He led her to the bed and she sat on the edge as he knelt before her, her pulse quickening with every breath. This was where they’d started out the night, and as he lifted her foot and ran his hand up the back of her calf, memories of what he’d wanted to do earlier when he was in that position came rushing back. Heat flooded her body. She didn’t think it was possible to feel so much, to be turned on to the point of already being wet and shaky and nearly unable to speak. But as his hand moved up her leg, she knew he’d only begun his masterful seduction.

  “Am I going to bring you enough pleasure?” he said, continuing to list his reasons for being nervous.

  He unzipped her boot and pulled it off. There was something unexpected and sensual about his honesty and about the feel of his hands moving so carefully as he lifted her other foot and unzipped the boot ever so slowly.

  “Am I going to last the first time I bury myself deep inside you?” He arched a brow, a wicked smile lifting his lips.

  Oh God. Hearing him say that took her even higher. Could he take her right up to the edge with words alone?

  He pulled off her boot and sat beside her on the bed, toeing off his shoes, then tugging off his socks. She was so nervous she could barely breathe.

  He brushed her hair from her shoulder, his touch gentle yet determinedly seductive. “Am I going to figure out how to get those stockings off you without tearing them?”

  Oh! She hadn’t thought about that. She should have thought about this moment, not just the dress. She really needed to up her game. Tear them, please! With your teeth. She wanted to say the words, but his chest came down over hers, lowering her to her back, and her voice was lost beneath her frantic heartbeat.

  He laced their fingers together and brushed his lips over hers. She loved when he did that feathery tease of a kiss.

  “I’ve got plenty to be nervous about, baby, but that’s not going to stop me from enjoying every second of this night.”

  He released one of her hands, sliding his palm along her ribs and down her hip, then back up again, grazing the side of her breast. She shuddered with anticipation. He didn’t say a word for the longest time, just gazed into her eyes as he explored the curve of her waist, the swell of her breast, the top of her thigh.

  Oh God…

  His eyes trailed down her body, their hampered breathing and the sound of his hand sliding along her dress the only noises in the room. He touched her cheek, gazing at her like she was a treasure. Her heart beat faster with every passing second.

  “I can’t decide where to start.” He brushed his thumb over her lips. “Your mouth?” He dragged his tongue along the seam of her lips, and she leaned up, trying to catch a kiss, but he lifted just out of reach. “Your neck?” He gently sucked the column of her neck.

  She squirmed beneath him.

  “Or do I strip you bare and start lower?” He gathered her dress above her thighs. His eyes locked on Sally’s, which was about the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. He lifted it higher and ran his fingers along the waist of her stockings. “These have got to go.”

  She reached down to remove them and he caught her hand.

  “Not a chance, beautiful.”

  He lowered his mouth to hers. His tongue was smooth and demanding over hers as his hand stroked an intoxicating rhythm between her navel and thighs. She tried to concentrate on their kisses, but her mind kept drifting south, where his fingers trailed close to her sex and then up again, taunting her over and over until she held her breath with every downward pet. His leg moved over her thigh, his arousal pulsing against her, hot and hard, obliterating the last shred of h
er sanity. She went a little wild, grabbing at his body, bowing off the bed. When she tugged at her stockings, he tried to roll them down her hips, moving slowly and carefully, but he accidentally latched on to her thong, too, and they got twisted and stuck. His brows knitted. He tried to roll them back up, and his fingers tore through the nylon.

  Her first sober sexual encounter in years and she couldn’t even get there! She tried to help him, lifting her butt from the mattress and wiggling, but it only made things worse. Their eyes connected, and just as mortification began to steal her breath, laughter burst out.

  “I can’t even have sex sober,” she said through hysterical laughter.

  “Oh, you’re going to have sex all right. The best sex of your life if I can get these suckers off.” He thrust his fingers through the hole, shredding them one yank at a time, but the waist remained intact. “What the…?”

  His gaze flicked to hers, and she fell back laughing so hard tears streamed down her cheeks. His eyes narrowed with determination, making her laugh even harder. He tore at the waist like his life depended on it, while Sally held on to the mattress in fits of laughter, making him laugh, too. When he finally managed to get them, and her thong, off, he dragged a long strip of the silky material over her sex and thighs. The lascivious look in his eyes stopped her cold as he climbed up her body and perched above her, his heated gaze so open and honest, so real, she felt her world coming together like never before.

  “Sorry, baby.”

  A laugh slipped out before she could stop it. “It’s okay.”

  “I can think of something we can do with this.” He brushed the shredded material over her wrist and her pulse spiked. “But I’m afraid I’d never get you untied.”

  That spurred another round of laughter.

  She pushed playfully at his chest, rolling him onto his back, and began unbuttoning his shirt. “Good thing I didn’t wear Spanx.”

  “Next time I’m bringing scissors.”

  God, she loved this beautiful man. Loved him! This wasn’t infatuation or loneliness. This was heart-and-soul, to-the-ends-of-the-earth, bone-deep love. She finished unbuttoning his shirt and pressed a kiss to the center of his chest.